This past weekend I used some of my free time to get some things in order for Easter Sunday. The first thing I secured was a whole milk-fed, Ontario Spring lamb (26 lbs). The second thing I would need is charcoal.
Last weekend I was lucky to pick up the last of the store’s charcoal. It seems I wasn’t the only Greek in the area getting ready for Easter.
Here’s what I’ll be offering this Sunday:
Kokoretsi, Sweetbreads, sausages, eggplant salad, tarama salata, Htipiti salad, Tzatziki, dolmades, roasted potatoes, asparagus gratin, magheritsa, Tsoureki, cheesecake, galaktoboureko, Spring salad and…a whole spit-roasted lamb.
There will be lots of wine, beer and Tsipouro to help wash down all the delightful food and mom’s best fresh baked bread.
Alas…we’re still a few days away from Sunday and the fast continues but wait! I have a new soup that us Greeks can have for Lent. It’s not new as it’s called a Horiatiki (Village) Soup but it’s new to my kitchen.
A few years ago in Greece I picked up a cookbook called Elliniki Paradosiaki Kouzina (Greek Traditional Cuisine). The author of the book is credited to a Christina Lidaki and the origin of this soup is labeled as being from Central Greece.
This is a hearty, chunky vegetable soup that’s filling and Lent-friendly. If you’re Greek and tired of Fakkes or Fassoulada – give the Horiatiki Soupa a try.
Soupa Horiatiki
2 medium onions, diced
1 large leek
3 cloves of garlic, minced
3 large carrots, peeled & sliced
3 stalks of celery. cut into 1/2 in. pieces
2 zucchinis, halved lengthwise then cut into slices
2 large tomatoes, peeled and diced
3 large potatoes, diced
1/3 cup olive oil
couple of bay leaves
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 Tbsp. dried oregano
9 cups of water
2 vegetable boullion cubes
salt and pepper to taste
- Wash, peel and chop your vegetables. In a large pot, add your olive oil, garlic, onions, leeks, carrots and celery and saute for about 15 minutes over medium heat. Stir occasionally.
- Add your bay leaves, potatoes and tomatoes and stir & cook for another five minutes for the starch in the potatoes to activate.
- Now add your water and boullion cubes and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium, cover with a lid and and simmer for about 30 minutes.
- Add your zucchini and simmer for another 10-15 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Finish the soup off with the chopped fresh parsley and dried oregano.
That sounds like a fabulous feast peter. The stew looks pretty good for the meantime, too!
You know Peter, I admire your strong will and that you are willing to sacrifice so much for your religion.
The soup looks delicious, but the lamb…..man oh man, that is a winner in my book.
You know Peter, I admire your strong will and that you are willing to sacrifice so much for your religion.
The soup looks delicious, but the lamb…..man oh man, that is a winner in my book.
You know Peter, I admire your strong will and that you are willing to sacrifice so much for your religion.
The soup looks delicious, but the lamb…..man oh man, that is a winner in my book.
You know Peter, I admire your strong will and that you are willing to sacrifice so much for your religion.
The soup looks delicious, but the lamb…..man oh man, that is a winner in my book.
You know Peter, I admire your strong will and that you are willing to sacrifice so much for your religion.
The soup looks delicious, but the lamb…..man oh man, that is a winner in my book.
You know Peter, I admire your strong will and that you are willing to sacrifice so much for your religion.
The soup looks delicious, but the lamb…..man oh man, that is a winner in my book.
You know Peter, I admire your strong will and that you are willing to sacrifice so much for your religion.
The soup looks delicious, but the lamb…..man oh man, that is a winner in my book.
You know Peter, I admire your strong will and that you are willing to sacrifice so much for your religion.
The soup looks delicious, but the lamb…..man oh man, that is a winner in my book.
You know Peter, I admire your strong will and that you are willing to sacrifice so much for your religion.
The soup looks delicious, but the lamb…..man oh man, that is a winner in my book.
What a great Easter spread! With all of that, when are you going to start cooking? It would take me days to complete all of those!
That lamb is going to be awesome!
If I start driving now, from Tennessee, I should be there in plenty of time for lamb, right?
Okay – what time do you want us there? I’ll try to catch up with ‘Mary Coleman’ LOL
All sounds lovely I must say. Save us some wine too!
So are you precooking. Is Mom able to help. I want a full report with pictures.
I see you’re preparing your big feast for Sunday. With all that food it should be enough for a Greek family of four!…LOL….Arni on the souvla is my absolute favourite!
Peter, that is a lot of lamb! I don’t think I could ever observe lent, I like to eat a lot. Hehe. But that soup looks tasty. I like the combination of vegetables you have going on there.
This is certainly one colorful and flavorful soup. Your vegetarian readers say thank you :)
Peter, I so have missed you and your inspirational cooking! Life has been a little crazy but it feels like home checking in and seeing how you are doing. You, my dear friend, cook like I do when it comes to big dinners! Everyone complains that there is JUST TO MUCH FOOD but everyone would be so disappointed if all that food and love wasn’t there!
A spring lamb on the spit? Have you done this before? I am envious right now and have been dying to try something like this. . .only with a piglet stuffed with herbs, spices, pineapple, etc. I honestly don’t think there is anything that holds you back when it comes to food. I know this is why I have told you before that you are my inspiration =D.
HUGS,
Shandy
WOW! What a selection of food you will be offering!
A whole spit-roasted lamb!! Just like at my underground party. Awesome!
You Greeks know how to do it right! I can smell it from here. :-)
If I change my name to Stavros or Christos, can I come too? Please??? I’m dying to get in on that lamb! ;)
That soup is no slouch either. It looks fresh and vibrant and delicious!
So when do we all show up? I LOVE lamb!!
Happy Easter to you and yours!
(P.S. Your blog should contain a warning: READING THIS BLOG MAY CONTRIBUTE TO DEVELOPMENT OF A SEVERE DROOLING PROBLEM.)
Wow, how big is that crowd your cooking for? Can an Italian sneak in???
The soup sounds wonderful Peter. No wonder Greek Orthodox need to fast with all that wonderful food on the table at Easter. I am just kidding…too bad I am not really your sister:D
This looks really tasty for such healthy recipe. I’ll have to send it to Mama to atone for not making her Health Soup.
Sounds like you’re all prepped. We are pretty much all set to go as well. My father and I will be prepping the lamb, kokoretsi and kontosouvli on Thursday…
As for the horiatiki soupa, my grandmother practically lived on the stuff in her last couple years of life. Thanks for reminding me!
Sounds like a perfect meal!
Please stop by my blog to pick up a little award that I’ve given you :)
orea! poli orea!
look at that lamb! save some for me, i am comin over! (i wishhhhh)
Wow – what an amazing feast that’s going to be! No wonder you can’t wait! Oh, and please count me in especially for the galaktoboureko… Any chance of you doing a recipe for it and blogging about it?? Please??
Sylvie, our fast demands hearty, filling soups.
Nina thanks…it’s part of being Greek and the cleansing is beneficial too!
Deb, it’s more about organizing and I’ll be starting with some prep Thursday but most will be cooked Sunday.
Mary, why aren’t you here yet?
Jan, there’s another sofa for ya!
Courtney, the mom (princess) is doing very little…other than bark orders!
Pete, our total is 10…the lamb will gone.
Ben, there are times when I ache for more substantive food but I survive.
Lisa, your “veggie welcome”!
Hi Shandy, yes I’ve done lamb on the spit before…it’s very traditional for Greek Easter.
Jessy, it’s not much for this pack of hungry Greeks.
Zen, look for smoke in the air this Sunday…it’ll be emanating from a Greek backyard…lamb on spit everywhere!
Sticky, bring some booze and you’re in!
Blog Princess, thanks for wishes…I’ll add the warning, good idea! lol
Marie, just 10…it’s a long day full of eating, there won’t be much left.
Val, this is one of (if not) my fave days to be a Greek.
Lulu, mama would like the soupa!
Sam, I look forward to your own Easter report.
Lori, thanks for the award…you’re a doll!
Geia Sou Ali…palikari!
Mocha..you’re welcome to come…bring me some of that beer too, will ya?
Forkful…the Galaktoboureko will show up here…in time! ;)
It was nice to find your blog through Despinas! I like it very much and what I need it to find greek recipes elaborated… as I am always on the internet it’s very handy… Well done Peter and thanks because takes a lot of effort to do this
Αχ γιατι βιαζεσαι με το αÏνι; Κολαζομαστε μεγαλη βδομαδα!
ΚΑΛΟ ΠΑΣΧΑ
It seems like a recipe for success the way you describe it.
bring it on!
This looks like a great soup, Lent or no!
Ya sas! I am actually a Canadian of Irish/Scottish descent but I married a girl with the last name Zachos. (Greek) Easter has quickly become my favourite holiday of the year. We too have the lamb on a spit, roast potatoes, spanikopita, tiropitakia, lasagne, magheritsa (yikes!) as well of course as lots of wine, beer and my favorite tsipouro! I was delighted to find your site and hope you have a wonderful Easter! Kristos Inesti.
Peter, I looove all your plentiful use of vegetables! This hearty soup is to die for. I’m a “soupaholic” and could eat this any time of day. Just add a crusty loaf of bread to that and I’m in heaven!
Diane
Yes! I have such fond childhood memories of lamb on the spit. Thanks for the reminder, yum!
Hey Peter – I definitely want that recipe for kokoretsi. I’ve yet to find a good one. In return, I just posted a loukaniko recipe. Have fun this weekend!
h.
What a wonderful looking soup! I can’t wait for Sunday and my father-in-law’s lamb.
Great soup… but the lamb looks so appealing!!! Can’t wait to see the result… what a feast, chico!